Trump’s Balogun intervention sparks UEFA, Blatter backlash against FIFA

UEFA and former FIFA president Sepp Blatter have strongly criticised FIFA after the world governing body cleared United States striker Folarin Balogun to play against Belgium following reported intervention by United States president Donald Trump.

European football’s governing body accused FIFA of “crossing a red line” and warned that the decision had put the “integrity of the game at stake” after Balogun’s automatic suspension was lifted ahead of Tuesday’s FIFA 2026 World Cup Round of 16 clash.

Balogun, who has scored three goals at the tournament, was sent off after opening the scoring in the USA’s Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina for a studs-up challenge on Tarik Muharemovic.

Under FIFA regulations, the 25-year-old was expected to serve a one-match suspension against Belgium. However, FIFA opted not to enforce the automatic ban, making the Arsenal forward available for selection.

The decision followed a phone call from President Trump to FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Thursday, during which the suspension was discussed. Trump later thanked FIFA for “reversing a great injustice”.

UEFA condemned the decision in a strongly worded statement, insisting that automatic suspensions are mandatory and not subject to discretion.

“An automatic suspension of one match is not a discretionary option. It is a principle embedded in regulations,” UEFA said.

“When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined.

“Such a decision creates a precedent in the ongoing tournament, where similar situations will now require equal treatment, to the detriment of the competition.

“We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision.”

UEFA also noted that among 188 previous World Cup red cards, only one player, Brazil legend Garrincha at the 1962 World Cup, avoided suspension, a case long surrounded by allegations of political interference before automatic bans were introduced.

Belgium also voiced its displeasure, with the Belgian Football Association describing the ruling as “astonishing”.

Belgium’s Foreign Minister, Maxime Prevot, questioned the circumstances surrounding the decision.

“If a phone call is really the reason for this incomprehensible decision, it would be a blatant violation of the most basic rules of football and sport,” he said.

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter also condemned the move, warning against political interference in football governance.

Writing on X, Blatter said: “Red cards are not overturned by political phone calls. They are overturned by rules, evidence and independent bodies.

“If a US President intervenes with the FIFA President, and a player is suddenly cleared before a World Cup knockout match, the question is unavoidable: Quo vadis, FIFA?

“Football must never become a playground for political power.”